Central Pa. designer closes store to focus on bridal line

The Sheila Frank store will close but, Sheila Kauffman will continue to operate the Sheila Frank brand. Photo provided/File.

A central Pennsylvania designer will close her store in Mechanicsburg to focus on the expansion of her bridal line.

A decade ago, Sheila Kauffman launched her own line of clothing, Sheila Frank, with a focus on swimwear and ready-to-wear clothing. In 2016, she opened a showroom at 50 W. Main St. in Mechanicsburg and introduced a bridal collection. But, just two years after opening the store, it will close in December.

Kauffman opened the store to have a place to work with clients to customize their own wedding dresses, evening gowns, prom dresses and other special occasion dresses. But, she has decided to change the focus of her business.

While closing a company's sole store in most cases would mean the end of a business, for Kauffman it means she will be able to focus on selling to bridal boutiques nationally and internationally. So while Kauffman is closing the store, the brand, Sheila Frank LLC, will live on. Frank is Kauffman's maiden name.

With the closing of the store, Kauffman will no longer be taking custom clients, she has announced. Kauffman said while she will no longer provide custom-made dresses, she will continue to design and create collection dresses for weddings and special occasions. Dresses will be available for purchase online and in specialty boutiques across the United States beginning next year, she announced.

The store is appointment only but, Kauffman hopes to have a sale at the end of October. A holiday dress collection will be available online in November, Kauffman announced. After Kauffman closes the store, she hopes to find a studio space to continue her operations.